Enrollment higher than projected for FWCS

The official count of students on Friday, Sept. 12, showed Fort Wayne Community Schools' enrollment dropped by less than 1 percent from 2007-08 to 2008-09, but the enrollment is nearly 400 students higher than projected.
As of Friday, there were 31,434 students enrolled in the district's 52 schools. Last year at this time there were 31,606 students enrolled.
This year's enrollment is higher than district officials expected. Projections, which are based on previous enrollment, birth rates and housing patterns, estimated enrollment for the year would be at 31,043.
"Our stable enrollment is one more sign of the strength of Fort Wayne Community Schools. It is a testament that parents recognize the value of their public school system," Superintendent Wendy Robinson said. "Still, we need to be vigilant in making sure we are the city's premier school district. We are in a competitive market, and we don't want to follow the trend of urban school districts across the country that are losing students."
All schools in Indiana are required to count their students on the state's official count day, which this year fell on Sept. 12. Final student numbers are due to the state Department of Education by Oct. 3, and funding from the state is based on this count.

With nearly 30,000 students, Fort Wayne Community Schools is one of the largest school districts in Indiana. FWCS proudly allows families to choose any of its 50 schools through its successful school-choice program creating diversity in each school, including some with more than 75 languages spoken. FWCS offers seven magnet schools focusing on areas such as science and math, communication, fine arts or Montessori at the elementary and middle school level. In high school, students can choose from the prestigious International Baccalaureate program, Project Lead the Way or New Tech Academy as well as other rigorous academic and specialty training programs.